London's Big Ben Will Fall Silent for Three Years

The iconic bell will only ring for special occasions over the next three years.

After 157 years of nearly uninterrupted service, London's Big Ben will stop chiming. Starting in early 2017, the Elizabeth Tower (colloquially known as Big Ben, the name of the largest bell inside) will undergo a series of vital renovations, including repairs to the roof, stonework, and the Big Ben's 13-foot pendulum. The bells and its tower are so desperately in need of work, according to Parliament, that without repairs, Big Ben could stop functioning completely. “We have a duty to ensure that it is safeguarded for future generations to appreciate, just as we owe it to our predecessors to restore their masterpiece to its former glory. While these works are much needed in the short-term, they will also ensure the long-term future and sustainability of Big Ben,” Parliament spokesman Tom Brake said in a statement.

While the Elizabeth Tower will fall silent for months at a time, the five bells that make up the iconic sound will still ring on special occasions, including New Year's Eve. The last time Big Ben, one of the city's most famous landmarks, stopped ringing for several months was 40 years ago during the last major renovation (though the bells were silent for six weeks for some minor repairs in 2007). "It's been running 24/7. You wouldn't run a motor 24/7 for 150 years without maintaining it." Paul Roberson, one of the clockmakers at the Palace of Westminster, told the BBC. But, the repairs are much needed not just for the tower but for the 12,000 people who climb up to the bells each year. The $42 million renovation will also include the addition of the tower's first elevator and the first bathroom.

Note: Tours of the Elizabeth Tower are free for U.K. residents but will stop while the renovations are on-going. So, Brits looking to book the last public tours that take place in late December 2016, should keep their eyes open when booking for them opens in July 2016.